Drinking-tube



(No Model.)

G. L. A. MARTIN.

DRINKING TUBE- No. 580,527, Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

Jami.-

FFICEQ GEORGE L. A. MARTIN, OF BROOKLYN, NEIV YORK.

DRINKING-TUBE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,527, dated April 13, 1897.

Application filed January 18, 1897. serial No. 619,538. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE L. A. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drinking-Tubes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

It is a Well-recognized fact that the comm on drinking vessel of a public place is a fruitful source of contagion, and that many instances of the spread of disease, particularly among school-children, are traceable directly to its use. A simple tube is sometimes usedin order to avoid contact of the lips with the drinking vessel, but this is dangerous in its way because of the liability of particles of solid matter to be drawn so far into the mouth as to be swallowed involuntarily. If a sieve or strainer were to be applied to the tube, it would be likely to become clogged more or less and afford a breedingplace for germs if no provision were made for cleaning the inner surface of such sieve or strainer. Having these difficulties in mind, I have sought to provide a drinking-tube which can be conveniently carried in the pocket by a child or by a bicyclist on the road or by any other person who may have occasion for its use and shall avoid all of the dangers alluded to, provision being made for keeping its strainer clean without requiring attention on the partof the person Who uses it.

My invention will bemore fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a drinkingtube constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the same.

In the form of the device represented in the drawings the tube proper, A, of convenient length and diameter, is provided at one end with an enlargement B, as a mouthpiece, so that the tube can be retained easily in the mouth while in use. It is obvious that the mouthpiece may be of any desired shape. Near its other end the tube is provided with a cup-like enlargement G, to which is secured a sieve or strainer D, preferably of fine wiregauze. The cup and the strainer form between them a chamber for the reception of a ball or other movable body E, which has a diameter somewhat greater than the internal diameter of the tube A as a convenient means for preventing the ball or other movable body from passing into the tube. The tube itself projects a short distance within the cap 0 and is serrated or notched, as at a, so that the ball or other movable body E shall not be held against the end of the tube by suction and prevent the free passage of waterinto the same.

The mode of use of my improved drinkingtube will be readily understood, and it will also be understood that the movement of the ball or body E within the chamber formed for its reception, as the tube is carried about in the pocket or otherwise and while it is in actual use, will keep the inner surface of the strainer clean by constant attrition, preventing altogether the clogging of the strainer and the accumulation of matter uponits inner surface.

It is obvious that my improved drinkingtube is not only well adapted for its use by school-children, but also for use by bicyclists upon the road and generally by persons who would otherwise be compelled to drink from a public drinking vessel or directly from a spring or stream or from any large vessel.

I claim as my invention 1. A drinking-tube having at one end a mouthpiece and at the other end a strainer, in combination with a movable body placed within the strainer to keep its inner surface clean by attrition, substantially as shown and described.

2. A drinking-tube having a mouthpiece at one end and a cup-like enlargement at the other end, in combination with a strainer secured to the periphery of said cup-like enlargement and forming therewith a chamber, and a ball or other movable body placed within said chamber to keep the inner surface of said strainer clean by attrition, substantially as shown and described.

3. A drinking-tube having a mouthpiece at one end and a cup-like enlargement at the other end, in combination with a strainer secured to the periphery of said cup-like en- ICO largement and forming therewith a chamber, and a ball or other movable body placed Within said chamber to keep the inner surface of said strainer clean by attrition, the end of said tube projecting within said cup-like enlargement and being notched or serrated, substantially as shown and described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 14th day of January, A. D. 1897.

GEORGE L. A. MARTIN.

In presence of ANTHONY N. JESBERA, W. B. GREELEY. 

